Baseball bounces back, prevails over USF

Yesterday, University of San Francisco scored two runs in the first inning and never looked back, handing Oregon State its first loss of the season.

After the Dons led off Wednesday’s game with another two-run first inning, it looked as if OSU might lose two straight. But behind timely hitting and another dominating performance from the bullpen, the Beavers prevailed, earning a series split with a 6-5 win.

“We again started down in the game,” said junior infielder Andy Peterson. “We all knew we were going to come back. I thought we would come back with a little more fire, but we were good enough to get the job done.”

Despite not playing up to its usual level, OSU was happy to get a win.

“We could’ve played better but games are hard to win,” said head coach Pat Casey. “You can dwell on the things that we didn’t do well or you can think about the fact that we won the game.”

After OSU’s worst offensive game of the season — one run on four hits — the Beavers bounced back, using eight hits to manufacture their six runs.

Sophomore outfielder Dylan Davis was again an offensive bright spot — Davis homered in Tuesday’s game — getting two hits highlighted by a double and three runs batted in.

Despite the increased production at the plate, Casey still isn’t happy.

“We wanted to get better on offense and didn’t do a good job of that,” Casey said. “We had guys on second and third [base] twice and didn’t capitalize. Those things will hurt you.”

Starting pitching plagued the Beavers for the second straight game. Senior right-hander Taylor Starr got the start on the mound, throwing 4 1/3 innings, while allowing three runs on five hits.

“His stuff was good but I think he would probably tell you he was in the middle of the plate too much,” Casey said. “He felt good, his velocity was up, his breaking ball was good, his changeup was good. But in his first start [of the season] he would tell you he wants to throw the ball in different areas of the plate.”

Junior right-hander Brandon Jackson continued his strong season out of the bullpen. Jackson didn’t give up an earned run, and allowed only 4 hits and no walks in 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.

Jackson has yet to give up an earned run, while striking out 12 in 13.2 innings this season.

“Shoot, he’s our MVP right now,” Casey said. “We would’ve went another inning with him. We didn’t have to use [Scott Schultz], [Max] Engelbrekt didn’t have to throw very much and now they’re [both] ready to go.”

The Dons threatened in the seventh inning, scoring two runs after an error in center field from Davis.

But the Oregon State defense tightened up after the error, finishing out the game with a 4-6-3 double play.

After Wednesday’s victory and five consecutive games at home, the Beavers will travel to Tuscon, Ariz., to face No. 20 Arizona for a three-game series starting Friday.

Oregon State is looking forward to get Pac-12 play started.

“We’re all ready to hurry up and get league play going,” Peterson said. “We’re ready to bounce back and catch fire.”

Andrew Kilstrom, sports editor
On Twitter @AndrewKilstrom
sports@dailybarometer.com